PNP seizes truck with 171 sacks of mineral ores in Misamis Oriental town

A white truck and 171 sacks of mineral ores with a total worth of P3.01 million were seized in Lugait, Misamis Oriental after police learned that the cargo lacked documents authorizing its transport.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the mineral ores were confiscated during a checkpoint operation before dawn Monday.

The 38-year-old male driver of the white truck was unable to present documents authorizing the transport of the mineral ores, a violation of Republic Act 7942 or the 1995 Philippine Mining Act.

The driver was also arrested while the truck and the mineral ores were later turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) regional office in Cagayan de Oro City.

The truck was worth P1.3 million while the mineral ores were worth P1.71 million.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured that the police force is fully dedicated to protecting the country’s natural resources.

“Our personnel act decisively to protect the environment and uphold public safety at all times,” he added. — JMA, GMA News